LABOR AND COMMUNITY
30th Food Drive Will Help Feed Needy Families in All 50 States
News4
By National Association of Letter Carriers
May 9, 2022
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its annual national food drive on Saturday, May 14. NALC’s food drive, which was first held in 1983, helps feed millions of Americans. The Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, the country’s largest one-day food drive, provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need. Customers simply leave their donation of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox before the delivery of the mail on Saturday, May 14. Letter carriers will collect these food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes, and distribute them to local food banks, pantries, shelters and churches. The Letter Carriers’ food drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Hunger affects 1 in 8 Americans, including millions of children, senior citizens and veterans.
JOINING TOGETHER
Wis Politics
May 9, 2022
At midnight on Friday, May 6, over 105 members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 565 went on strike at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. SMART Local 565 members at Trachte make vital training centers for fire fighters and first responders and storage units that are used across the country. SMART members are on strike for flexibility and a work-life balance. “The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of SMART Local 565 on strike at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “We send solidarity and strength to SMART members as they hold the line for a fair and just contract that allows workers to spend time with their family. Like many essential workers, SMART Local 565 members worked long hours and excessive overtime to deliver for our communities. SMART Local 565 members are taking collective action to address mandatory overtime so they can spend time with their family and loved ones outside of work. Strikes are never easy, but the willingness of union members to stand together for justice and fairness at work bolsters our middle class and improves workplaces for all.”
CA: Fresno bus drivers union approves labor strike as negotiations with city break down
Mass Transit
By Brianna Vaccari
May 9, 2022
Fresno Area Express bus drivers voted overwhelmingly last week to reject the city’s proposed labor agreement, declare an impasse, and to strike, union leaders told The Bee. While union members approved going on strike, there are no plans to do so “at this time.” “But that may change,” said Alfredo Molina, the secretary for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1027, which represents around 270 FAX bus drivers.
UFCW Local 770 approves contract with Gelson’s
Supermarket News
By Russell Redman
May 9, 2022
Grocery store associates represented by six United Food and Commercial Workers locals in Southern and Central California voted “overwhelmingly” to ratify a new labor contract with Gelson’s Markets, UFCW Local 770 reported.
UAW Local 807 strike of Case New Holland continues; negotiations remain on hold
The Hawk Eye
By Michaele Niehaus
May 9, 2022
United Auto Workers entered their second week strike of Case New Holland Industrial on Monday as talks between the union and CNH remain on hold. "We're still on strike," UAW Local 807 President Nick Guernsey told The Hawk Eye Monday. "We're really kind of in a holding pattern ... It's that awkward lull moment where there's just not a lot of talks going." Guernsey spent the weekend helping to get union members signed up for strike benefits, which will include $275 weekly payments beginning next week, as well as health benefits to help supplement the loss of coverage through CNH, which no longer will be in effect beginning Friday.
United Steel Workers officials visit Weirton facility prepping for contract negotiations
WTOV
By Dylan Cleland
May 9, 2022
A United Steelworkers Union contract negotiation committee met Monday in Weirton. It's a part of an effort to begin developing needs for their upcoming contract with mill site owner Cleveland Cliffs. "Times are changing, and we have a different generation of workers then we had just a few years ago,” USW Local President Mark Glyptis said. “A lot of younger people have been hired. Some of the older folks, like me, that's been around for a while sometimes tend to look at things a little bit differently than the younger people. What’s important to them may be a little bit different." With workers young and old, USW employees are searching for different items to be included in their next contract with Cleveland Cliffs.
SAG-AFTRA Members Approve New Commercials Contract
Backstage
By Diep Tran
SAG-AFTRA members voted 92.25% in favor of approving the 2022 Commercials Contract and the 2022 Audio Commercials Contract, which the union negotiated with the Joint Policy Committee LLC last month. Overall, wages will increase by 5.55%, adding up to $120 million in gains over three years for commercial voice actors in the union. Prior to voting, SAG-AFTRA’s national board approved the contract. “We did it! An overwhelming majority of members agreed on the new Commercials Contracts,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said in a statement. “As we move into a digital age, bold moves and structural changes had to be made.